How to Invite Players to Foundry: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
You built an amazing game world in Foundry VTT. Your maps are ready. Your story is planned. Now you need players at the table. This guide shows you exactly how to invite players to Foundry, step by step. It works for versions 10 through 13.
What Is Foundry VTT?
Foundry Virtual Tabletop is a one-time-purchase app for playing tabletop RPGs online, like Dungeons & Dragons or Pathfinder. The game master (GM) runs the game on their computer or a server, and players join from a web browser. Because you host it yourself, you also set up the connection so players can reach you.
What You Need Before You Invite Players
Run through this quick checklist before you send any invites:
- A licensed copy of Foundry VTT. Only the GM needs to buy a license. Players join for free.
- A working internet connection for you and your players.
- Your connection address. This is the URL or IP address your players will use to join. We cover how to get it below.
- Your world loaded. Foundry must be running and your world must be started. Players cannot join an empty lobby.
- An open port (usually 30000). If you host the game yourself, your router must let players in. More on that below.
How to Invite Players to Foundry: 6 Simple Steps
Step 1: Start Your World
Open Foundry VTT and click Launch World on the world you want to play. Your players cannot join until you are in a live world.
Step 2: Create Player Logins
Press the Configure Settings gear icon in the top right. Go to the Users tab. Click Create User and type in your player’s name. Pick a password if you want one. Repeat this for every player in your group.
Tip: Give each player their own login. Do not share one login between people.
Step 3: Find Your Connection Address
Which address you use depends on how you host the game:
- Local network: Use your computer’s local IP, like
192.168.1.10:30000. Great for testing with friends in the same house. - Over the internet (self-hosted): Use your public IP address plus the port, like
123.45.67.89:30000. You need port forwarding for this (see below). - Hosted: Use the web address your hosting provider gives you, like
https://yourgame.theforge.com. No router setup needed.
Step 4: Set Permissions for Each Player
Back in the Users tab, click the small gear icon next to a player’s name. Set their role to Player. The default roles are Game Master, Assistant GM, Trusted Player, and Player. For most guests, the plain Player role is perfect. Save your changes.
Step 5: Share the Invite Link
Send your connection address to your players by text, Discord, or email, along with their login name and password. That is your “invite link.” Foundry does not email invites for you.
Step 6: Players Join the Game
Each player opens the link in Chrome or Firefox, picks their user name on the login screen, types the password, and clicks Join Game Session. You will see them appear in your player list.
Connection Methods Compared
Pick the hosting method that fits you.
Local Network
Best for: testing, or playing with people in the same home. Your players connect to your local IP. Nothing to configure. The catch: it only works on your home Wi-Fi.
Port Forwarding (Self-Hosted)
Best for: free online play from your own computer. You log into your router and forward port 30000 to your computer. It is free, but it can be fiddly. Check your public IP before game night, since it may change.
Hosted Services
Best for: zero setup and maximum reliability. Services like the official Foundry hosting or The Forge run Foundry on their servers. You get a simple web address to share, and you skip all router and firewall headaches, for a monthly fee.
Setting Up Permissions and Roles
Roles control what each player can do:
- Game Master: Full control. Only you should have this.
- Assistant GM: Can help run the game. Give this to a trusted co-GM.
- Trusted Player: Can edit their own stuff and use some advanced tools. Good for experienced players.
- Player: The standard role. They can move their character and roll dice. This is right for almost everyone.
To let players edit their own character sheets, open the Actors tab, right-click a character, choose Configure Ownership, and set the player to Owner.
Troubleshooting: When Players Cannot Connect
Player gets a “cannot connect” or timeout error
First, check that your world is actually launched. Second, make sure you shared the right address, including the port number (:30000). Third, test the link yourself in a private browser window.
Firewall is blocking the connection
On Windows, allow Foundry VTT through the firewall when it asks. On self-hosted setups, your router must forward port 30000 to your computer. If you skipped this step, players outside your home cannot reach you.
Version mismatch error
Everyone must use the same major Foundry version. If a player sees odd errors, ask them to hard-refresh the page (Ctrl + Shift + R on Windows, Cmd + Shift + R on Mac) to clear old cached files.
The game loads but everything looks broken
This is often a module conflict. Try joining with all modules turned off. If it works, turn modules back on one at a time until you find the broken one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do my players need to buy Foundry VTT?
No. Only the GM buys a license. Players join from a free web browser.
Can players join from a phone or tablet?
They can load the page, but the interface is not built for small screens. A laptop or desktop works much better.
How many players can join one game?
Foundry handles the usual table size of 4 to 6 players easily. Larger groups may need a stronger computer or a hosted server.
Is my game safe if I share my IP address?
Sharing your public IP with trusted players is normal. Set strong passwords on player accounts to stay safe.
Can I invite someone mid-game?
Yes. Create their login while the world is running and send them the link. They will join without you restarting anything.
What browser should players use?
Chrome and Firefox work best. Safari mostly works too. Make sure the browser is up to date.
Where can I get more help?
The official Foundry knowledge base has detailed setup guides, and the Foundry Discord community is very active.
Conclusion
Inviting players to Foundry VTT comes down to three things: launch your world, create a login for each player, and share your connection address. Do that, and you will be rolling dice together in minutes.
Want to learn more? Check out our guide to setting up your first Foundry world and our list of best Foundry modules for new GMs.